If you are heading to Texas, why not consider spending the perfect weekend getaway in Dallas before exploring the rest of the Lone Star State. Whether you are an avid historian that loves the history of JFK or a fanatic football fan that wants to experience the Cowboys, Dallas is the place to be. Don’t worry though, we haven’t even touched the surface of the myriad of reasons to visit the third largest city in Texas after Houston and San Antonio.
We want to share an itinerary that hopefully will inspire you to pay a visit to Dallas and experience all of the history, culture and fine cuisine that we all associate with this part of the States.
From the best place to stay to some of the finest restaurants, this guide will give you a few ideas to help as you plan a trip to Texas. Dallas is not just famous for the iconic TV soap opera that coined this name, rather it’s a booming metropolis with plenty of attractions and cultural experiences that attract visitors from across the globe.
A weekend getaway in Dallas may incorporate many themes – history, sport, luxury relaxation, delicious cuisine among many others. How about a combination of all the above? Come on folks, by now you have to realize that we LOVE to enjoy an action-packed weekend when we travel and it’s about making the most of our time in a destination.
Weekend Getaway in Dallas
Having visited Dallas on a couple of different occasions, it’s fair to say that every time we return we find something unique and awesome to experience. We will share some of our favorite attractions later but we want to give a quick background on why Dallas is a great option for a 48-hour trip. Sure, you could easily spend longer exploring the city and surrounding suburbs but our time is precious and a weekend is a great length of time to get a taste of what the city has to offer.
Whether we are exploring the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza or relaxing by the lake admiring the gorgeous floral collections at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Dallas is frequently popping up in our mind as the perfect city to visit for a weekend getaway.
One of my favorite reasons to visit Dallas is to experience the myriad of suburbs that are scattered around the downtown area. We have spent some time downtown but many of our visits have seen us head to the nearby suburbs of Plano, Arlington, Allen, Frisco and McKinney (among others). It’s in these spots where you can experience the ‘real’ Dallas rather than the tourist driven attractions that can be found downtown.
Here is what we are going to cover throughout the remainder of this post:
- Where to stay in Dallas? Our review of the Home2 Suites by Hilton Dallas-Addison hotel.
- Where to eat in Dallas? Whether you love experiencing local cuisine or simply prefer to stick to chain restaurants, Dallas has it all!
- Things to do in Dallas? This is one area that we could easily write a novel on because Dallas is not short of attractive reasons to visit.
Where to Stay in Dallas?
You will never be short of accommodation options in a city like Dallas so trying to filter through the variety of choices can certainly be overwhelming. We think that we have found the perfect solution that takes into consideration location, price, amenities and most importantly, overall comfort!
The Home2 Suites by Hilton Dallas-Addison is a brand new hotel that has just recently opened to focus on attracting the attention of “travelers looking for a fresh, new stay experience.”
After spending two nights here during our recent visit to Dallas for the Travel and Adventure Show, we can attest that this hotel is definitely the epitome of a fresh, trendy accommodation option.
Home2 Suites by Hilton is a mid-tier, extended-stay hotel concept designed to offer stylish accommodations, flexible guest room configurations and inspired amenities for the cost-conscious guest. (Home2 suites)
We have always been fond of hotels that incorporate the ‘suite’ style hotel room because it allows you to be much more flexible in terms of enjoying your “home away from home.”
Having a kitchen and living area in addition to the standard bed and bathroom is certainly additional features that help you enjoy your experience. This offers you the option to dine in rather than always feeling like you have to pay for meals when you are on the road.
- Do you love trendy hotels that epitomize the modern culture through technology, decor, and furniture?
- Do you want to be able to entertain the idea of dining in after a long day exploring Dallas and the surrounding area?
- Do you want to enjoy a fresh, complimentary breakfast buffet before heading to the modern gym/swimming pool for a workout?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, the Home2 Suites by Hilton Dallas-Addison is definitely a place worth considering.
We would stay here again in a heartbeat and in terms of affordable options, this has to be one of the best value hotels in the Dallas area. In terms of convenience, it is ideally located next to the Dallas North Tollway providing simple and quick access to the downtown area.
In less than 15 minutes, you can be on your way to learning about the tragic events of JFK’s assassination on November 22, 1963, or alternatively visit the Perot Museum of Nature and Science to enjoy hands-on experiences with everything you ever wanted to know about science.
We spent some time relaxing in the lobby area while other guests were outside in front of the hotel on the patio area in front of a fire that provided the perfect ambiance. After enjoying a perfect night’s sleep, we headed downstairs to experience the breakfast buffet.
Whether you are satisfied by cereal and a yogurt or perhaps want to sample one of the various breakfast sandwiches, there is enough choice to satisfy everyone’s appetite.
If you are ready to book your stay at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Dallas-Addison, check out their website for more details and the affordable rates you can expect during your next visit.
Address
4875 Belt Line Rd,
Dallas, TX 75254
Tel: (972) 980-4816
Where to Eat in Dallas?
There is no shortage of amazing restaurants and cuisine options throughout Dallas so trying to figure out which are the best spots to recommend is a near impossible task. Rather than solely giving our own recommendations which are limited given that we have only experienced a few differents spot, we have asked some of our friends from the travel blogging world to share their favorites.
A trip to Dallas doesn’t mean that you are forced to eat barbecue or Tex-Mex. Instead, there are plenty more options to choose from, including the following, all of which are recommended by either ourselves or our fellow friends in the travel industry.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
Let’s get the chain restaurants out of the way given that it’s always nice to experience some local spots whenever you travel to a new destination. If you follow our advice and stay in Addison and you prefer to stick to a chain style restaurant, BJ’s Brewhouse is a great choice.
We really enjoy BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse not only because of the atmosphere and great food but because of the wide selection of brews that you can sample. After a seven-hour drive from Arkansas, a refreshing beer and food were definitely welcomed!
Did I also mention the delicious, signature pizookie desserts? I don’t think I need to say anything else to describe this salted caramel delicacy.
Address
4901 Belt Line Rd,
Dallas, TX 75254
Tel: (972) 392-4600
Enough of the chain restaurants…let’s look at the local spots you cannot afford to miss. Texas is understandably popular for barbecue so it would be remiss of us to avoid recommending a BBQ restaurant.
Let’s hand it over to the experts in Dallas and see what they recommend.
Pecan Lodge
If you are looking for something in the downtown vicinity, Pecan Lodge is an award-winning Dallas BBQ favorite. Located on Main Street, it’s the perfect place to drop in for your smoked meat hit!
You can find Pecan Lodge at the following address:
2702 Main St,
Dallas, TX 75226
Tel: (214) 748-8900
Truck Yard
Love the experience of sampling delicious cuisine from local food trucks? Head to the Lower Greenville area of Dallas to experience the wonderfully named Truck Yard – it is too unique to miss!
If you are wanting to have a good time without blowing the budget, Truck Yard is perfect for you. It is a bar that plays host to a collection of different food trucks and local musicians – all of which are delicious!
Be sure to head to the following address to find out why the Truck Yard is so popular:
5624 Sears St,
Dallas, TX 75206
Tel: (469) 500-0139
Thanks again to Vicki from Make Time To See The World for recommending both the Truck Yard and Pecan Lodge as awesome places to grab a bite to eat while exploring Dallas.
Main Street Bistro & Bakery and Dr. Sue’s Chocolate
Just minutes from Dallas, you’ll find two great eateries in Grapevine, Texas. For breakfast or lunch, head to Main Street Bistro & Bakery, where you’ll find a varied selection of homemade entrees and desserts.
Try the almond croissant for breakfast, and, at lunch, get the grilled cheese sandwich and tomato basil bisque.
If you don’t mind the short drive to Grapevine, you can find Main Street Bistro & Bakery at the following address:
316 S Main St,
Grapevine, TX 76051
Tel: (817) 424-4333
Then head to Dr. Sue’s Chocolate, and indulge your sweet tooth in all-natural chocolate that is unlike any other you’ve tried before.
Check out Dr. Sue’s Chocolate by adding the following to your itinerary:
417 S Main St,
Grapevine, TX 76051
Tel: (817) 416-7667
We would like to thank Karon Warren from This Girl Travels for recommending these alternative options that will surely entice anyone with a sweet tooth.
Norma’s
Norma’s in Oak Cliff is a wonderful old diner always filled with neighborhood locals, serving up southern comfort food. Portions are massive, prices are not!
You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu, but our favorites are biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak (for breakfast of course) and a key lime pie for desert. Be careful, you might just need someone to roll you out!
Norma’s can be found here:
1123 W Davis St,
Dallas, TX 75208
Tel: (214) 946-4711
Tex-Mex
Mexican aka Tex-Mex is undoubtedly a staple option not only in Dallas but throughout Texas.Growing up in Dallas means that Tex-Mex is a mainstay in one’s diet. With an abundance of choices, it’s never easy to pick a favorite. However, Manny’s Uptown Tex-Mex continues to be one of the best Tex-Mex restaurants around.
Serving all the staples like enchiladas, chimichangas, fajitas, and chips and dip, the hardest part will be deciding what to order. With a variety of queso options, enchilada sauces and a massive menu, you should probably arrive with a good appetite as you won’t be leaving hungry!
Ready for the ultimate Tex-Mex experience? Check out Manny’s Uptown here:
3521 Oak Grove Ave,
Dallas, TX 75204
Tel: (214) 252-1616
Thanks to Karilyn Owen from No Back Home for sharing her favorite dining spots in Dallas. Norma’s sounds like a great local hotspot and of course, you cannot visit Dallas without sampling some authentic Tex-Mex cuisine!
Things to Do in Dallas
After all that amazing food, you better be ready to head out and explore Dallas because there are plenty of amazing things to do! Here are five of reasons that Dallas should be on your radar in terms of awesome attractions in and around the city.
We strongly encourage you to purchase a CityPASS Dallas ticket if you are visiting for the first time because it’s a great way to experience some of the best attractions with huge savings!
Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Dallas is famous for many things but perhaps ironically the most famous of all reasons is because of JFK’s assassination here in 1963.
Taking a tour of the Sixth Floor Museum is an informative experience as you are taken on a guided audio tour of JFK’s history, starting out from the moment he was elected as the 35th President to his tragic death that took place outside the building you are touring.
Throughout the tour, there is a distinctive sense of poignancy surrounding the museum and certainly as you walk outside and cross the ‘X’ that signifies the exact location where JFK was shot to the grassy knoll at Dealey Plaza.
It’s one of those iconic attractions that everyone has to experience at least once in order to gain a greater appreciation of the history and tragedy that took place here.
As I mentioned, in many ways it’s sad that Dallas is renowned for this reason but taking a tour here today is definitely a great way to start your visit to the city.
AT&T Stadium
Home of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team, AT&T Stadium is a state of the art complex that first opened to the public in 2009. With a capacity of 100,000, this is undoubtedly an iconic sight located in the suburb of Arlington.
Even if you are not fortunate enough to grab a ticket to watch the Cowboys, walking around outside the stadium is still an awesome experience. Stadium tours are also available if you want an up close and personal experience of the world’s largest domed structure.
Even if you are not fortunate enough to grab a ticket to watch the Cowboys, walking around outside the stadium is still an awesome experience. Stadium tours are also available if you want an up close and personal experience of the world’s largest domed structure.
Dallas Arboretum
There is something quite peaceful and relaxing about walking around a perfectly manicured botanical garden. This is exactly what you can expect if you visit the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and why we now consider it to be one of the best botanical gardens around.
Overlooking the nearby White Rock Lake, Dallas is home to a spectacular array of floral displays and a natural environment that any avid botanist will surely appreciate.
We spent several hours wandering around the 66-acres and it’s one of those fun-filled family attractions that you could easily spend all day at while enjoying a picnic. For those of you that love nature, this is definitely a place you cannot afford to miss!
Reunion Tower GeO-Deck
Just like another city, Dallas is home to a number of spectacular high-rise structures and although the skyline may not be as impressive as some, it’s definitely worth experiencing from the summit the Reunion Tower in the heart of the downtown area.
The GeO-Deck is an observation platform that offers stunning 360-degree views of downtown Dallas and surrounding area. It may only stand 470 feet above ground level but the views across Dallas are well worth the admission fee and if you follow our advice and purchase a CityPASS, it’s part of the deal!
Walking Tour of Downtown
We always love to find something that is FREE when we visit a new location and the best way to explore any new city is to grab your favorite walking shoes and just starting wandering.
Downtown Dallas is a great city to walk around and stumble across some hidden gems.
If you love architecture and history, there are a myriad of structures and historic stories to be found throughout the downtown vicinity. City Hall is undoubtedly a 21st-century design but dates back to the mid-1970s.
The Dallas Courthouse is the exact opposite and looks like a stereotypical historic building with the red-brick (sandstone) facade and clock tower. Dating back to 1892, this governmental building is located across from Dealey Plaza so anyone visiting the Sixth Floor Museum should certainly take a wander across the street to experience the rich history here.
The JFK Memorial is another poignant location that is worth visiting as you continue your walking tour around downtown but rather than detailing every attraction you can stumble across, we want to allow your spontaneity to take over and appreciate the beauty that you find.
Summary
Who is ready to pack their bags and experience an awesome weekend getaway in Dallas? We have only just returned home after an action-packed weekend where we visited the Travel and Adventure Show while also exploring several of the attractions mentioned above, and we are already raring to head back!
Dallas captures your imagination in so many ways and regardless of whether you choose to follow our advice and stay at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Dallas-Addison, there are plenty of accommodation options within easy access of all the aforementioned attractions. Dallas may be known for its barbecue and the Cowboys but we challenge you to find out some other reasons that will inspire others to visit this beautiful city!
What are your experiences in Dallas? What are your favorite restaurants that we haven’t mentioned here?
Disclaimer – We would like to thank the Home2 Suites by Hilton Dallas-Addison for offering us a discounted rate for two nights in exchange for consideration of a review. These are solely our personal opinions/experiences and we were not financially compensated for this post.
It’s funny, living in the area, you forget how much there is to see and do in Dallas! Although, we never seem to forget how many great restaurants there are. 😉 Great post guys – inspires us to get out and enjoy our own backyard more!
learly no shortage of fascinating and entertaining things to do in Dallas. As for me… I’m heading to Dr. Sue’s Chocolate!
Great Article! Happy toi read.
Thanks for Sharing!